Strikeforce Challengers 18 Garners $53K Gate

Strikeforce
Challengers 18 took in a live gate of $53,670, according to
numbers released today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

A total of 1,890 spectators attended the event, which went down
Aug. 12 from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Challengers 18
was headlined by a three-round lightweight attraction between Joe
Duarte (pictured) and Jorge Gurgel in which Duarte earned a
unanimous decision to close the show.

Of the 1,890 attendees, 549 of them paid for their tickets. The
remaining 1,341 distributed tickets were issued for free, while 66
tickets were neither purchased nor comped. The event outdrew
Strikeforce's previous effort at the Palms, which netted $42, 988
and was attended by 1,876 spectators.

Challengers 18 also featured the Strikeforce debut of exciting
women's 145-pound prospect Ronda Rousey, who earned a
controversial, first-round armbar victory over Sarah D'Alelio in
only 25 seconds. The Olympic judo bronze medalist remains
undefeated through three pro bouts and has finished each of her
fallen foes in less than one minute.